Midfielder’s contract stubbornness could play into Spurs’ hands
Published:If PSV’s Memphis Depay put himself on the radar of European football’s most wealthy during the summer’s World Cup festivities, then his start to the Eredivisie season with Phillip Cocu’s side is sure to coax a bid or two out of them.
Following up his two-goal, one-assist showing for the Dutch in the off-season with a pair of braces in the opening two games of PSV’s domestic campaign, Depay has, like Covent Garden’s best street entertainer, a growing group surrounding him.
Tottenham and Juventus are thought to be the two more prominent members of the circle, ready to throw their cash at the midfielder for his next crowd-pleasing trick, with the player’s reluctance to commit himself to the club he’s played for since 2011 a notable boon to the duo’s chances.
According to reports, Depay isn’t adverse to signing a new deal with the Philips Stadion club, but is perturbed by what he sees as a lack of significant signings and is refusing to sign a contract extension until after the furore of the transfer window dies down.
That is a serious carrot for the north London club, as they could offer the 20-year-old more regular playing time over the Italian giants, who have an embarrassment of riches in the middle of the park.
A £10m-plus-player deal was mooted earlier on in the transfer window but Spurs outcast Nacer Chadli refused to move in the opposite direction.
With PSV unwilling to sell, Spurs, who are 4/9 to beat QPR at the weekend, could end up paying closer to £20m to land their man.
Should the coup be secured, it would surely be a stunt in the growth of young midfielders like Tom Carroll, who would likely be shipped out on loan to make room for the Dutchman.
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